Archie’s Promise reaches out to the community and takes the financial burden off individuals and families when shopping for a business causal, semi-formal, or formal event. In January 2015, Archie’s Promise opened a thrift store called the Archie & Idalene Formal Shoppe.

Archie's Promise

Archie’s Promise is named after Claressa Ham’s late grandfather, Archie Hughes. Mrs. Ham’s late grandfather was a big inspiration in her life and early on she knew she wanted to give back to the community the way he had when he was living. Mr. Hughes found his passion in cars and would often use his skills to repair what needed fixing for free when friends were in need. At the young age of 12 years old, Mrs. Ham has a vivid memory of sitting on her grandfather’s lap telling him, “I want to be just like you when I grow up.” Mrs. Ham promised her grandfather that she would help the community like he did when she was older. Mrs. Ham’s promise grew into Archie’s Promise, a local nonprofit that recycles donated formal and business clothes to help people in need. In Janaury, 2015, Archie’s Promise opened a thrift store called the Archie & Idalene Formal Shoppe. Idalene is Mrs. Ham’s grandmother and she felt that including her in the thrift shop’s name would help pay tribute to her as well.